do I have to switch on the radio?

 

You guys are funny

 

I wasn't joking. Default setting is not on AFAIK.

 

You have to go into the settings, such as Concert Hall and also adjust the equalizer.

 

You're right that it's possible that L7 isn't switched on but I think the bigger point people are making here is that there seems to be a difference between the pre-LCI L7 sound quality and the LCI sound quality. There's another thread here that discusses this further and most of the people complaining (including me) are coming off of a 2004 car with L7 so we're pretty clear on how to operate it.

I'm almost positive that the trunk-mounted amp is different (don't know about the speakers) and I've noticed a clear difference in the two L7 modes. Also, one small note is that on the old car, when you selected one of the L7 modes, you instantly heard the change. Now, when you select a mode, the sound is interrupted for a second or two before the DSP processor kicks in.

It's clearly different, we're just not sure how extensive the changes are...

In another thread, I noted that the new style amp actually has a "glow" of light coming out of the top of the unit (as installed) when playing and also after the car is switched off but the amp fans are still running. Can someone with a pre-LCI car check to see if the amp glows? I'm thinking the old amp doesn't glow...

 

The 550i I had for 10 days had L7.

It sounded just as good as if not better than my L7 in the 3er and as good (to the best of my recollection) as the L7 in previous 5ers that I had pre-LCI.

 

In my opinion, the difference is a subtle one. I don't know if it's safe to compare the L7 on the E90 with the L7 on the LCI E60. When a bunch of owners make comments that their new cars don't sound as good as their old cars, it may be something to look at further. Keep in mind that many (most?) of these people drove their old E60 daily so it would be easier for them to notice a difference when they heard the new car. For me, putting on around 32K miles on a car like I did with my pre-LCI makes it pretty easy for me to claim that the new car sounds different and not as good.

Keep in mind that I'd still order the option (not "stay away" as the OP suggests) because it's better than the standard system and I'm not going to do anything aftermarket. It still sounds good, just not as good...

 

I agree, Rudy, but unless you do an A - B test, it's a tough call.

It also depends on the source being used.

For example, many people did not have an iPod connection in an older 5er and have one now. If they don't do a good job of ripping the tunes, the quality might be reflected in how it sounds.

 

I agree but when I formed my opinion that BMW "fixed" something on the L7 (that wasn't broken) I used a commercial CD in the dash slot. I'm not someone who can exactly describe what's lacking but I just don't get the same goosebumps the old system gave me. The sound is lacking in the midrange, I think. Also, it seems the subs are boomier (which might please some, just not me.) Of course now I'm getting into the subjective side where there is no right or wrong.

My point is that it's not the same and although I still like it, I liked my other one better...

 

Point taken, danke!

(And now that you mention it, the LCI 5er did sound a bit boomier...)